Sign Language Interpreter

Farmington Municipal Schools; Farmington (NM); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Farmington Municipal Schools is seeking a K-12 Classroom Interpreter to support hearing, Deaf, or hard of hearing students within classrooms, laboratories, field trips, assemblies, and other educational activities.

The interpreter will provide accurate interpretation using manual and verbal communication systems and collaborate with the educational team to support student learning and communication access.

Qualifications

• Must hold NM Regulations and Licensing Department (RLD) license.
• Must hold NM Public Education Department interpreting license.
• Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree from an Interpreter Education/Training Program.
• Rid membership.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with an educational team.

Responsibilities

• Interpret information accurately, conveying thought, intent and spirit of the speaker or signer in a manner appropriate to participants' communication needs.
• Interpret for students, parents, and other professionals at conferences, IFSP/IEP meetings, and school-sponsored activities.
• Utilize planning time to meet with teachers and staff as deemed appropriate by the educational team and/or supervisor.
• Prepare, preview and study subjects to research vocabulary and terminology for accurate interpretation.
• Provide input for record keeping, program data, time sheets, etc.
• Maintain confidentiality of private conversations between school staff and students.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Collaborative teamwork

Interpreting

Education

NM RLD license (Community/Educational/Provisional)

Interpreter Education/Training degree

RID membership

Job description

K-12 Classroom Interpreter Job Description

Overview of Position

The Education Interpreter is an integral member of the educational team-serving participants who are hearing, Deaf, or hard of hearing.

The educational interpreter provides interpreting services using a variety of manual and verbal communication systems in the educational environment. This environment includes classroom, laboratory, field trip, assembly, sports, and other educational sites.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications as defined in NMAC 16.28.3.8: The sign language interpreter must hold

a License with the NM Regulations and Licensing Department (RLD)

• License may be a Community, Educational or Provisional License
• Hold a NM Public Education Department interpreting license
• Hold a Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree from an Interpreter Education/Training Program
• Hold membership with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID)
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with an

educational team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hold a Community or Educational License with the NM RLD
• Hold a minimum of a 4.0 on the Educational Interpreter Performance Evaluation
• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree from an Interpreter Education Program or in a

related educational field

• Hold a membership with the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE)
• Experience in K-12 Classroom interpreting

Communication Facilitation

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Responsibilities:

• Interpret information accurately, conveying the thought, intent and spirit of the speaker or

signer in a manner appropriate to the communication needs of the participants

• Interpret for students, parents, and other professionals at conferences, IFSP/IEP meetings,

and other school sponsored activities

• Utilize planning time to meet with teachers and staff as deemed appropriate by the educational

team and/or supervisor

• Prepare, preview and study subjects to be interpreted to research vocabulary and appropriate

terminology to provide an accurate, appropriate interpretation

Educational Support

• Understand the student’s hearing loss and the effect of this loss on speech, language and

cognitive development and apply that knowledge when providing academic assistance

• Provide appropriate input as requested for record keeping, program data, time sheets, etc.
• Keep confidential all private conversations between and with the school staff and the

student(s) concerning family or personal issues (except as needed to be reported to the

educational team or except when required to share with the team)

• Be knowledgeable of the methods of behavior management being used in the school and

understanding their role in those positions

Educational Team Member Responsibilities

• Participate as a member of the educational team
• Have an awareness of, and help identify student goals and objectives for the IFSP/IEP
• Attend IFSP/IEP and/or educational team meetings either as an interpreter or as a participant of

the team, but not as both

• Provide in-services to classroom teachers, students and staff about the roles and responsibilities
• Explain the technical needs of interpreting, i.e., lighting, visual aids, positioning, and the

challenges related to interpreting between languages

• Share information about social, emotional and cultural aspects of deafness
• Assist in educating students, staff and other regarding hearing loss

Professional Conduct And Growth

• Function in a professional manner appropriate to the situation
• Dress appropriately for the profession and for the interpreting task
• Encourage independence in students
• Remain current in the field by participating in activities, in-services and skill building workshops

to improve knowledge in interpreting, the educational process, and Deaf culture

• Attend staff meetings
• Comply with district performance standards, evaluations, policies and procedures
• Encourage positive relationships among Deaf and hearing peers, staff, and faculty members
• Perform other reasonable duties during the work day that the immediate supervisor may assign